Liquor to cost more in HP

The Bacchus lovers in Himachal Pradesh will have to shell out more money to satitate their urge. Both the country made and Indian Made Foreign Liquor is likely to become dearer by Rs 10 to Rs 20 per bottle.

In the new excise policy for 2013-2014, the government has proposed 7.14 % increase in existing rate per proof litre of country liquor. The existing rates of country liquor have been increased from Rs 130 per proof litre to Rs 140.

While per proof litre of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) has been increased from Rs 184 per proof litre to Rs 210. The government has, however, not increased the number of liquor vends across the state.

“We have decided to continue with 1,815 liquor vends,” said an official from excise and taxation department.

The excise policy also envisages checking liquor pilferage from bottling plants distilleries and breweries. The government has proposed to install close circuit television cameras at bottling plants and distilleries to check the pilferage from the plants.

What's more government has reduced quota for losses at bottling plants and distilleries from 6% to 3%. “This we have done to check the pilferage of liquor from the plants. Now, majority of plants are automated,” he said. The excise policy also proposes some stringent measures for curbing sale of adulterated liquor.

If the vends are found selling adulterated or illicit liquor, the government will cancel the licences. Vend owners can also lose the licence in case he is found selling liquor to minors.

The government aims to generate more revenue from the sale of liquor. Excise and taxation department proposes to earn Rs 215 crore more than last year.

During the 2012-13, the excise department generated Rs 800 crore from revenue receipt. While for current financial year, the government intends to generate Rs 1,005 crore from the sale of liquor in the state.

To stop the smuggling of liquor from the adjoining state, in new policy the quota of the country liquor and IMFL will be increased at a rate of 1.17% and 8%, respectively, in the state.

To ensure a level play, the government has also reduced taxes on extra neutral liquor. The current taxes of Rs 2.50 on the extra neutral liquor being brought from outside the state has been reduced to Rs 1.50. The new excise policy was approved by government in cabinet meeting on March 2.